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Sustainable tourism in the Stellenbosch townships

Tourism focussed on sustainability and local entrepreneurs is the goal of the Municipality of Dilbeek together with Stellenbosch in South Africa. Dilbeek has been supporting entrepreneurs from the townships since 2016 by helping them with their education and focussing on the tourism in the townships.

Together with people in the field, Dilbeek made a first inventory of entrepreneurs who can be linked to sustainable development. These have been collected on the website www.viaviastellenbosch.travel. The next step is bringing tourists to these entrepreneurs. The incorporation of a ViaVia café is being studied together with Viavia Tourism Academy (VVTA). Five students from the University of Stellenbosch have carried out an opportunity analysis and looked for a suitable location for this café and the possible partners. VVTA is currently reviewing the next steps after a positive result. Dilbeek also works with the tourism department of Stellenbosch for this project.

They will organise a cook training programme for inhabitants of the townships in the context of ‘Dining with Locals’ with the support of Dilbeek. Dilbeek is also interested in supporting a starter programme for inhabitants of the townships who want to start their own business but do not have the funds to attend a course.